AW palace within my dreams

Salvador,

Knight of Ignis Empire

Played by Rico

---

The dark empress entertained his humor with a light but reciprocated chuckle and it encouraged the faint, curled smile to linger across Salvador’s lips. Even her jest, barbed as it was and poking against what pride and dignity he had left, he huffed faintly and his silver-blue hues glittered briefly in contest. “I have some skills at my disposal, empress.” His protest was light-hearted and delivered with an easy smile, but it was laced with an edge that spoke of his lurking dignity that he would not yet see dismissed. The fine-furred scholar had come across hard times, certainty that was a truth that couldn’t be obscured, but he had survived thus far and would continue to do so and that alone deserved recognition.

Still, Salvador understood her words were meant lightly and his pride was no worse for wear, so he listened to her proposal with roused and attentive interest. His pointed ears remained pressed forward and his masked expression grew thoughtful; so, the dark empress needed warm bodies to fill her ranks. This explained much, and the scholar felt a tension ease within him now that he could identify the motivation behind her kindness. “I am flattered by the invitation, empress. Although not a hunter, as I said before, I do have skills to offer – language, history, and I am practicing in medicine currently. May I ask how you would make use of my skills, and what I could expect, living in your empire?” He queried gently, his silver-blue eyes resting on hers as his long tail continued its restless coils behind him. Salvador knew he would fare better in the protection that a kingdom could offer, but he wasn’t willing to sign his life away without reading the fine print first.

Volcan,

Empress of Ignis Empire

Played by Karasu

---

Something prickled inside the goddess as his light words hovered with an edge, a feeling that she had accomplished something, touched a nerve. Goodness, she must have hurt his poor starving ego. Her face never moved to reveal her thoughts- though the dark woman knew very well she was a bitch. She mulled over his question of what to expect beneath her reign. Well, that was easy- especially since he revealed he knew if language and history, even medicine- to an extent. But that could always be furthered through experimentation or the meeting of her healers. "Those are very hefty skills, indeed. Ignis can offer you food, shelter, and companionship if you seek it. I give my people fairly free range, as long as your doings are not disrespectful to me, the kingdom, or any potiental allies. With language and history skills, you may be useful as a shaman or even a peacemaker- one to help negotiate with other prides. Any who can assist in healing are welcomed heartily, since those of us who hunt may find ourselves injured by prey. Our territory is beside a lake, so you shallant have to suffer the seashore any longer, but rather have fresh water." she said, offering information as she could. "I expect my people to be loyal and respectful, and to... Pull their weight...." she said carefully. "After you are back to health. The sick, weak, too young or elderly dont have much expected of them." the empress gave a bit of an explanation.

Code by Naboo, Ref by Habitual Nightmare

Salvador,

Knight of Ignis Empire

Played by Rico

---

Salvador did not know what this dark empress would make of his claims or questions, but she was kind enough to not keep him waiting. He listened attentively to the affirmation and explanation that spilled from her lips, his masked expression remaining neutral as he processed what she offered. In his humble but slightly eccentric opinion, Volcan’s explanation of her empire seemed rather tame for the woman bejeweled in embers. He had half expected her to say she required her subjects to make sacrificial offerings to some unknown lava god once a moon, but the dark empress simply detailed what roles she thought his talents would suit him for.

His lips twitched briefly in a wry smile that slipped quickly away as she skirted around the issue of his current state of near emaciation, but Salvador was too intrigued by the potential for healthiness and camaraderie to indulge in any semblance self-pity. When it became clear that she had finished her explanation, the scholar was silent for a moment as he weighed his options, but ultimately it was an easy decision given his current state of affairs. “I would be happy to join you in Ignis, empress Volcan.” He accepted without preamble or flourish, although he did tilt his skull forward in a slight acknowledgement of a genuflection, his silver-blue gaze dropping to the sand before lifting again to meet hers. Doubts whispered pervasive thoughts and hints of good sense in the back of his mind – such as, what freedoms would he be allowed (to invite? To leave?), what would his fellow citizens be like, what other empires or kingdoms existed on this side of the world – but Salvador thought himself in a poor shape to indulge them. The lion was silent instead, allowing his new empress to direct him or accompany him as she wished; Salvador had no idea where this lake of hers was, and hoped she might offer him guidance to it without him having to ask.

Volcan,

Empress of Ignis Empire

Played by Karasu

---

Volcan's fluffy chest puffed out woth pleasure as he accepted her invitation. Finally, her goals were coming true- her kingdom was growing, soon it would be the least barren in the land. So far, the other empire simply consisted of two- one being a dear friend of hers. But of course all things took time, and she would simply watch Ithilien's progress with interest. But as for now, the empress smiled at the dark pointed male, turning to face the way she came. "Come along, I'll lead you to your new home- no need to pillage eggs, we have meat in our stores." and with that, whenever he joined her side, she would lead him back to the lake, a simple sentence laced with amusement all the preceded them. "You may just call me Volcan, if you wish."

Code by Naboo, Ref by Habitual Nightmare

Salvador,

Knight of Ignis Empire

Played by Rico

---

In such a sorry shape as he was, gaunt and fatigued, the scholar easily dismissed any misgivings he might have entertained with the promise of nourishment and protection her empire so openly offered. He remained silent and expectant of his empress’s guidance but thoroughly unwilling to betray such anticipations and therefore was vividly aware and in control of every movement of his figure. His masked expression remained calm, unperturbed, even amiable while his expressive silver-blue eyes remained resting nonchalantly on her bejeweled countenance, his belly aching with expectation of what nourishment her empire would provide, until the brief silence was broken at last by her voice.

Her guidance was freely offered, and Salvador again dipped his narrow snout in acknowledgment although the promise of meat was nearly enough to crack his carefully schooled façade. A warm smile brimmed across his lips and reached his eyes as he stepped forward to her side, allowing the taller empress the heads length of a lead in respect. Matching her stride with his own long, nimble limbs he nodded when she gave him leave to address her by her given name, although he said nothing more, keeping quiet the probability that he would not indulge such informality for as long as she remained his empress.

Exit.